That “mostly” is what makes Hutcherson winningly uninhibited, but also typical of his generation. New research published in The New York Times in 2010 shows that an increasing number of guys his age identify as “mostly straight,” and Hutcherson’s ease in embracing ambiguity over neat and secure boxes speaks to his self-assurance.

“Maybe I could say right now I’m 100% straight,” he says. “But who knows? In a fucking year, I could meet a guy and be like, Whoa, I’m attracted to this person.”

Hutcherson grew up in Union, Ky., a small town close to the Ohio border, and his slouchy, chill California vibe is still tinged with a soft Southern accent. Everything he says sounds easygoing. “I’ve met guys all the time that I’m like, Damn, that’s a good-looking guy, you know?” he says. “I’ve never been, like, Oh, I want to kiss that guy. I really love women. But I think defining yourself as 100% anything is kind of near-sighted and close-minded.”

Hutcherson is not exactly an average 21-year-old. He’s one of the stars of the blockbuster Hunger Games films, he’s rich and famous, and he’s self-aware enough to grasp how good he’s got it. Yet his take on sexuality reflects a healthy skepticism of labels that’s helping shift American public opinion on LGBT equality.

According to Cornell University psychology professor Ritch Savin-Williams, whose work was the basis of that New York Times op-ed, many “mostly straight” young men see the fight for LGBT equality as the defining civil rights movement of their time, just as Hutcherson does. But they’re neither just allies nor passing through before coming out as gay or bi. “These are the Kinsey 1s,” Savin-Williams says, meaning they fall just to the queer side of totally heterosexual on the famous sliding scale of sexuality. “Their primary object of desire is women. They’re not giving that up—they’re just adding to it.”

Hutcherson seems delighted by the complicated nature of human sexuality, but he doesn’t take sex too seriously—“Sometimes the rhythm isn’t right or you’re trying to make a new position work and it really doesn’t, and you have to laugh”—and isn’t allergic to oversharing. Of nude photos it’s rumored he posted to a dating site, he shrugs off any comment except to say, “I find it so shocking still that nakedness is so shocking.”

He definitely doesn’t understand judgmental attitudes toward gay people, which is why he cofounded Straight But Not Narrow, a youth organization that focuses on arming allied kids with the confidence and tools they need to speak out against homophobia. “Sometimes it’s frustrating to comprehend how people are not OK with it. If you can try to tell me how it’s hurting you, you’re crazy. You’re absolutely crazy. Like, what do you mean it’s not natural? Even if—even if, which, I disagree, but even if—why the fuck do you care?”

All kidding and persons aside, I have noted that there is something to this among our straight brothers out there.

by Anonymous

reply 9

10/09/2013

"Mostly seeking gay fans to add to established fanbase" more like.

by Anonymous

reply 10

10/09/2013

It's cool to say you're open-minded to sex with the right guy in theory. But it's no indication that such a guy will ever materialize.

by Anonymous

reply 11

10/09/2013

r11, that's not such a small thing to say.

by Anonymous

reply 12

10/09/2013

R9 what's changed is straight guys are now comfortable admitting that, like all guys, they're interested in sex.

How many try it? No idea. But it doesn't make them gay or bi to admit they're curious about it.

by Anonymous

reply 13

10/09/2013

I totally agree, R13. I was in no way suggesting that it was anything that they would act on, or that I am even interesting in them acting on. More just appreciating the recognition that sexuality expands far beyond simply "straight" and that it is OK that it does.

by Anonymous

reply 14

10/09/2013

It's not a small thing to say, but I bet it seems far less significant or brave to people his age. Progress.

by Anonymous

reply 15

10/09/2013

Josh in 2012

by Anonymous

reply 16

10/09/2013

Josh is mostly tiny. A pocket straight, or so he thinks.

by Anonymous

reply 17

10/09/2013

I don't like his mouth.

by Anonymous

reply 18

10/09/2013

Maybe you'd like it better if it had your cock in it, r18.

by Anonymous

reply 19

10/09/2013

Wonder if Josh is fucking his good friend Avan Jogia?

by Anonymous

reply 20

10/09/2013

Wait, wasn't this guy the kid in that "Bridge to Tarabithia' movie? He co-starred with the girl who now plays the young Carrie Bradshaw?

Same, R25. I never understood the attraction with this guys. He's not hot. He seems like a great guy, don't get me wrong. But his looks are average, same with Darren Criss, another one who is highly overrated.

by Anonymous

reply 27

10/10/2013

Why do young American stars come off so unpleasantly?

I think back to young stars from the UK - the Harry Potter stars, Charlotte Church, even the precocious Jude Law and they all seem much more humble, articulate and likable.

Is it something to do with America's culture identity? "Cocky" has always been a quality attributed to Americans, so perhaps that is it...?

Any pop culture savvy people want to weigh in and enlighten me? :)

by Anonymous

reply 28

10/10/2013

He didn't deny that the nude pic wasn't him.

by Anonymous

reply 29

10/10/2013

He didn't deny that the nude pic was him.

by Anonymous

reply 30

10/10/2013

[quote]Of nude photos it’s rumored he posted to a dating site, he shrugs off any comment except to say, “I find it so shocking still that nakedness is so shocking.”

So he doesn't actually deny it, but doesn't actually admit it either. Why not just say one way or another?

by Anonymous

reply 31

10/10/2013

Yes R28, we get the message from a very early age that 'winners' exude confidence. While the marks of true character, like humility and integrity, are often seen as weakness.

Unfortunately, the result is you have lots of people running around acting cocky with nothing much in the way of talent, education, intelligence or accomplishment to back it up. It sucks.

Love the Brits and their quiet, humble ways. They remind me of the turtle that wins the race.

by Anonymous

reply 32

10/10/2013

Is he supposed to be attractive?

I don't see it.

by Anonymous

reply 33

10/10/2013

He's full of it. No straight man finds other men as attractive. They might admire their achievement or lifestyle, but don't find them attractive. You don't change sexual preferences at the drop of a hat. He sounds like an idiot.

by Anonymous

reply 34

10/10/2013

What's with all the swearing in the interview, btw?

by Anonymous

reply 35

10/10/2013

Groovy Mama, you touch on a great point at R34.

I hate this fucker for perpetuating the myth that people can switch their sexuality "if someone cool comes along". it's part of that crap mainstream society laps up, "oh it's the person, not the gender", etc. Bullshit. If you can get it hard thinking of a man, you are definitely gay. Might be bi if you can do that thinking of a girl ... but all that, "his/her personality makes me hard" only exists in Anne Rice novels.

by Anonymous

reply 36

10/10/2013

Does "mostly straight" mean mostly acceptable?

by Anonymous

reply 37

10/10/2013

R28, you must be fucking kidding? CHARLOTTE CHURCH humble? Well-spoken, etc.? She was the very picture of cheap, arrogant stupidity. I worked for her record label, and she was the bitch of all time. And we had to beg interviewers to censor her awful remarks. Though I'll never forget the time she said she hoped the Queen wouldn't invite her for a social event, because she thought the Queen would be too boring for her with-it lifestyle.

God.

by Anonymous

reply 38

10/12/2013

maybe he'll change his mind if he meets Taylor Lautner

by Anonymous

reply 39

03/03/2014

"You don't change sexual preferences at the drop of a hat. He sounds like an idiot."

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